Abstract

The contribution of psychological theory and empirical research to investigative interviewing worldwide over the past 25 years is indisputable. The interviewing of both suspected offenders and witnesses (adults and children) owes much to those pioneers who have driven the well-documented radical shift in modus operandi, to both the processes and procedures associated with these complex skills. In the UK, psychologists and police officers have contributed both individually and collaboratively, to facilitate the current world leading ‘search for the truth’ approach. However, this paper argues that in order to stay ahead of the game, the field of investigative interviewing (suspect and witness) must continue to evolve in such a manner that not only protects and fosters the important practitioner/academic relationship, but which ensures that future directions are driven by empirical research, with recourse to emergent theory.